My Frugal Miser - March 2026 Income

I worked 23 days in March.  My rental property is still vacant (7 months and counting!).  I received income from the condo tenant.

Open Door Capital continues to pay interest on the promissory note.

March Income: $12,160

$9,288 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$27 Amazon Deliveries

$750 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $343)
$2,095 Interest Income

$0 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: ($6,185)

The S&P 500 was down 5.09% in March.  My brokerage accounts also fell, but by less (down about 1.5%).

My Frugal Miser - March 2026 Spending

Frustrating.  

I was doing quite well.  In Aruba for work, and the first couple of days I played a little in the casino.  I was up over $400.  Then one of my coworkers joined me and we drank way too much.  The alcohol has a way of making me do stupid things.  I accessed cash - a lot of it - from a credit card, and in about 10 minutes, I lost it all.

The rest of my March spending was reasonable.

• I replaced the brakes and got an oil change on my car.
• 
  

Fun (aka Personal Travel)

We love adventures.  Spending on experiences makes us better humans (well, not in March!).  

• I didn't book any trips.
• Except for a small amount spent at AMC, my spending was money lost gambling.

March Expenses:  $8,809

$905 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$363 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$205 Shopping

$6,593 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$214 Food

$259 Health and Dental

$0 Household/Home Repairs

$142 Work Expenses

$0 Interest Expense

$0 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$0 Taxes

$128 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - February 2026 Income

February was a strong month, as I worked all but 5 days.  My rental property is still vacant (6 months and counting!).  Fortunately I received income from the condo and 4 distributions from Realty Mogul.

Open Door Capital continues to pay interest on the promissory note.

February Income: $14,437

$9,635 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$0 Amazon Deliveries

$2,666 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $283)
$2,094 Interest Income

$42 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $221

My brokerage accounts barely moved in February.

My Frugal Miser - February 2026 Spending

When I am on the road for work my spending decreases.  In February I was out of town 23 days, and I barely spent money.  

• I opened the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy business card and paid the $125 annual fee.  In addition to a healthy sign-up bonus, there is a free night each year, which offsets the fee.
• I am reimbursed for out of pocket expenses in different ways.  Sometimes I get a true per diem.  If I don't spend the money, it's mine to keep.  I still report it under Reimbursed Work Expense.  Add to that the fact that a client advanced my per diem for a trip I am taking in March, and the category showed a healthy profit. 

Fun (aka Personal Travel)

We love adventures.  Spending on experiences makes us better humans.  

• I visited my mom in Virginia.
• I pay for two AMC A-List subscriptions each month.

February Expenses:  $435

$98 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$125 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$253 Clothing/ Personal Care

$807 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$160 Food

$247 Health and Dental

$0 Household/Home Repairs

$0 Unreimbursed Job Expense

($1,338) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$64 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$0 Taxes

$19 Utilities